Award-Winning Book Power Shift: From Fossil Energy to Dynamic Solar Power Retells Human History Thro
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  • N. N. Light
    • Apr 30, 2018
    • 4 min read

Award-Winning Book Power Shift: From Fossil Energy to Dynamic Solar Power Retells Human History Thro


Title: Power Shift - From Fossil Energy to Dynamic Solar Power

Author: Robert Arthur Stayton

Genre: Non-Fiction, Solar Energy, Science

Book Blurb:

You are part of the grand transition that is taking place in energy, but you are probably wondering what it all means for you. Human society has committed to getting off fossil fuels because they are warming our planet, and this shift will engage everyone. Why? Because everyone uses energy. Today you have choices in energy that you never had before, and your choices will affect many generations to come. This book will bring you up to speed on your many options in energy, all explained in terms that anyone can understand.

The award-winning book Power Shift: From Fossil Energy to Dynamic Solar Power retells human history through the lens of energy, explains the science behind the crisis--in clear, succinct language that anyone can understand--and provides a detailed blueprint for the future, from governmental, commercial, and individual perspectives. The book has been recognized as a Finalist in the 2016 Foreword Reviews' INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards, and has received the Gold Medal in the Global Ebook Awards.

Today, we've become mired in partisan bickering among politicians and oil, gas, and coal lobbying interests who insist that fossil fuels are necessary for jobs and the US economy. However, this narrow debate has failed to notice that the world has already embarked on a transformation in how we use energy that is so fundamental, it defines a new Solar Epoch, as monumental as the discovery of fire, the development of agriculture, and the exploitation of fossil fuels in previous centuries.

The truth is that solar power--getting radically cheaper by the year--is not only a viable solution but, as the author states, "forms a clean energy system that can completely replace fossil fuels. We can gradually phase them in so that in 50 years we'll be 100% solar-powered. And because solar energy does not run out like fossil fuels, we will never need to go looking for another energy source again."

The book also explores the related crises of out-of-control CO2 emissions from fossil fuel burning: glacial melting; flooding; drought; ocean acidification that threatens mass extinction of marine life; and the often overlooked costs of rising food prices and military conflicts over oil and other fossil fuels.

Unlike other books on global warming and solar energy, Power Shift presents visionary plans for governments, corporations, and individuals concerned about climate change. And the author has "put his money where his mouth is." Having built a solar home in Santa Cruz County in 1997 and outfitted it with an off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) system, Stayton cites numerous personal examples to inspire others to take similar action.

Destined to become a classic in the field, and soon to be adopted as a basic text in college and university environmental studies programs, Power Shift is an indispensable reference for researchers and global leaders, a valuable staff training tool for solar companies, and a compelling, inspirational read for anyone eager to learn the truth about global warming and to participate "from the ground up" in the new Solar Epoch.

Reader-friendly with beautiful illustrations and firmly grounded in current science, Power Shift also forges a cautionary tale of what lies ahead if we don't start acting now: "We seem to be waiting for a sign," Stayton writes, "a sudden event so catastrophic that it compels us to overcome political differences and take action. However, this disaster does not rush upon us like a hurricane, but instead slowly erodes our foundation, like termites. If we wait until the house collapses, we will have waited too long."

If you buy only one book on the topic of climate change or solar power--for yourself, family, friends, or colleagues--you can depend on Power Shift to serve as a comprehensive, eye-opening, educational resource for years to come.

My Review:

Rarely have I read a book that was written by an author so driven by belief in his message. If Solar Power advocacy ever needs a picture to define it then it is Robert Arthur Stayton. Stayton goes to great lengths to explain what the current state of the world's energy production is, how it causes difficulties, what can be done to fix it and in the end how Solar Power is the only way to make it right.

As strong a message as it is, it is lost a bit in the lengthy prose that details the current state of power generation. I felt when reading that the style reminded me of when Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth Bennett. He goes on and on about his general interest in the matter of marriage and then gets on his knee to offer his love.

You get such a detailed overview of every fossil energy form that it was at times hard to remember this was a book about Solar Power. I appreciate the arguments in favor and believe there is much to be said for the main premise. The success of this option will lay with being able to talk people into spending more now to save later. That is a very hard nut to crack in the 21st century.

I think the book might have ended better with a traditional conclusion. A touch wordy, very well researched and thorough. If you ever have any questions about mankind and the future of power generation I recommend you read this book first.

My Rating: 4 stars

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Author Biography:

Robert Stayton is a writer who lives in Santa Cruz County, California. He has a masters degree in physics, and has taught college courses in physics, energy, and solar energy. He also has a Graduate Certificate in Science Communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz. In 1997, Robert and his wife built a passive solar home in Santa Cruz County and outfitted it with an off-grid solar photovoltaic system. He has been living with solar energy since then, always looking for new ways to apply solar in his daily life. He drives a solar-charged Plug-in Prius, heats his water with a solar water heating system, and bakes his bread in his solar oven. He has served as host to hundreds of people who have toured his home to see his solar efforts. Robert's book Power Shift combines his science background, teaching experience, and personal commitment to solar energy into a unique perspective on how humans use energy and where our civilization is going.

Reviewed by: Mr. N

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